Medium: Brown and ivory houndstooth wool

Date: c. 1946

Country: USA

Credit: Gift of Maybell Machris

This day suit is instantly recognizable as an Adrian creation. While many fashion designers in both Europe and the United States during World War II crafted tailored garments for women that were replete with wide, sharply cut shoulders, gently tapered waistline, and matching, slim skirts, Adrian was unsurpassed in his ability to seam and to piece fabrics. His subtle use of color was no doubt honed during his years as a costume designer for films, primarily those made in black-and-white. Adrian's whimsical genius can also be seen in the varying widths and placement (both horizontal and vertical) of the fabric, for no two of hundreds of suits styles he produced were exactly the same. This creativity is all the more amazing given that Adrian was working during the wartime era of fabric restrictions.

Object Number: 71.206.1